Praises poured as the Bacolod City government and the administration of University of Negros Occidental- Recoletos led a ceremony honoring the topnotcher of the September 2014 Medical Technologist Licensure Examination (MTLE). Billed as “Tribute to a Topnotcher”, the program was held at the President’s Hall of UNO-R, yesterday morning. As he lauded the feat of Patrick Joseph Mabugat, a Bacolodnon who topped the MTLE, Mayor Monico Puentevella, hailed the achiever as “a young hero” who has given pride and honor to the city. “What he has done is heroic” he stressed. Puentevella said that Mabugat’s achievement serves as inspiration to students, not only of his school, but all over the country. “He gave pride not just to the city, but also to the Philippines,”
Puentevella claimed. Of the 3,615 who took the examination, Mabugat was number one among 2,986 passers, with a score of 90.90 percent. Also, 73 students from UNO-R passed the examination, which catapulted the university to the number 8 spot in the top 10 performing schools in the Philippines. The mayor cited Mabugat’s parents, Arlene and Supt. Calixto, for their efforts and sacrifices in providing education to their eldest son. In his speech, the young Mabugat said the Mayor’s recognition for his achievement was unexpected. As he thanked the mayor, Mabugat said he was also grateful to the UNO-R faculty, his parents and friends for being with him all the way. “This is our award, as much as it is mine,” Mabugat said. Mabugat also said his achievement would not be the first and the last for the city or his school, adding that a lot of promising and talented young people will also bring honor and pride to Bacolod in the future. The topnotcher’s father, Calixto, a police officer assigned at the Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6), also thanked the mayor for recognizing his son’s achievement. Meanwhile, UNO-R President Fr. Emeterio Buñao said the university shares the pride and joy that Mabugat’s achievement has brought to the university. The University presented a Certificate of Recognition to the City through the Mayor. (Reprint from Watchmen Daily Journal by Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino , Oct. 10, 2014)